meeting your prospective in-laws

Have you ever sat down with your sweetheart and imagined meeting his/her family especially the parents?  Well I was cursed never to be liked by in-laws and in my past relationships I have always refused to meet my better half's parents especially the MOTHER.  We all know how it goes with mums-in-law.  Am just curious to know how many people have had positive experiences with them and/or dads-in-law.  This is the part of the relationship I dread.  How soon is soon to meet your partner's parents?  Should you run for the hills when asked to meet them?  I believe this means you are ready to take your partner as a lifetime partner so you should be totally sure you want this person to be your lifetime shadow.